Speedwell Royal Candles

DESCRIPTION: Royal Candles Speedwell has masses of beautiful spikes of royal blue flowers rising above the foliage from early to mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain forest green in colour throughout the season.

BOTANICAL NAME: Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 40 cm
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 40 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Full sun to partial shade
FLOWER COLOUR: Deep bluish-purple
FLOWERING TIME: Summer
FOLIAGE COLOUR: Glossy green
COLD HARDINESS: Zone 3 ( Should survive up to -39.9° Celsius )
WATER NEEDS: Average 
OTHER FEATURES: Attracts Butterflies, Border, Cut Flower, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

Landscape Attributes

Royal Candles Speedwell is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Royal Candles Speedwell is recommended for the following landscape applications:

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Royal Candles Speedwell will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 16 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. 

Royal Candles Speedwell is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception.